Weapons on public school campuses 

By Venecia Easter | Staff writer

Leon County Schools is raising awareness as more students have been caught bringing weapons onto campus.  

While Superintendent Rocky Hanna was unavailable for an interview, the Leon County School District confirmed that he is exploring new ways to enhance safety on school campuses. Hanna is considering installing metal detectors at high schools and athletic events to help prevent weapons from entering campuses or being brought to extracurricular activities. 

Bullying remains a significant concern for students, and some research suggests it causes students to react violently. According to a 2025 study published in Victims & Offenders, bullying victimization can influence students’ likelihood of bringing weapons to school when they feel unsafe or threatened. Addressing bullying is considered an essential step in preventing students from feeling the need to bring weapons for protection. 

Some parents say social media also plays a critical role. 

“I feel like it’s more kids getting bullied in and outside of school with social media and the things they listen to,” said Sjonda Williams, a parent of a Rickards High School student.  

Leon County Sheriff Department Lt. Pepper Norman said there were six gun incidents during the 2024-2025 school year. The current school year, 2025-2026, has two incidents reported so far.  

Teachers and school administrators believe that students should be held accountable for their actions to learn the difference between right and wrong. They argue that consistent consequences such as detention, loss of phone privileges or open communication are suggestions to correct the behavior before it escalates. Addressing small acts of disrespect or rule breaking early on could prevent more serious incidents, like students bringing weapons to school.  

“I think that we make excuses for the youth,” Norman said. “If we hold them accountable early on, even for minor things, I think that would help reduce it.”  

LeNedra Still, a safety monitor at Woodville Elementary School, stated that students are showing increased levels of anger. She suggested that schools offer anger management classes to support students’ mental health. She expressed that she believes some students are coping with their frustration by accessing unsecured weapons and bringing them onto campus.  

“You have a lot of parents that do have their own private weapons, and a lot of them are not putting them away,” she said.“They are not securing them properly, and so they have a chance of getting a hold of that weapon.”